Chapter 52
FIFTY-TWO
T he white dress is simple, flowing down to my ankles and hiding the nondescript shoes I'm wearing. When I woke up, I found a big square box by my bed that housed my outfit for the day. Ze left me a small note instructing me how to dress and do my hair, saying it's important to convey a prim and proper look—nothing flashy or ostentatious. Everyone would be wearing the same type of outfit to hide social status. In this test, the only thing that matters is spiritual ability, not a person's rank or family. Ze implied that because the process is so fair, even those rare s’Aperiotes who exhibit spiritual powers can participate in the selection—the only event of its kind that allows them to make something of themselves in spite of their humble beginnings. But there's a strong no-cheating policy, and that includes the zantrax drug. Although he has assured me that no one should be able to detect the pearl, I'm still a little apprehensive. The temple seems to take its rules very seriously, and I can appreciate that they want to give a fair chance to everyone.
After I'm finished dressing, I tie my hair in a tight bun at my nape and pull up the dark hood attached to the dress over my head. Done with the preparation, I take a deep breath, giving myself a quick pep talk before I leave my room.
Ze relayed that a carriage would await me at noon, and it would take me straight to the temple, where the recruitment process would begin.
I exit the house, and a simple gray carriage greets me at the entrance. The door swings open, inviting me inside.
There's a driver and a horse, but he doesn't exchange one word with me as he waits until I'm fully boarded to begin our journey.
I make myself comfortable in my seat, though my anxiety runs high. I'm about to head into a foreign environment I barely have any information on. Sure, Ze described the temple and the priestesses to the best of his abilities, but he's only done so from the lens of a male outsider. The truth of what I'll encounter inside is yet to be revealed.
Each House has its own temple and the priestesses have been tasked with defending the Primordial artifacts. Their creation was a direct opposition to the Sons of Tenebreis—hence why only females can join the temple. But times have changed, and with the rise of demon attacks, Ze fears that the artifacts could fall into the wrong hands. It has already happened once when Elias, the King of the House of Bronte, and his high priestess defected to Tartareia with the artifact in their care. According to Ze, though, if the demons get their hands on the vial, it's the beginning of the end, and he's not one to speak in superlatives. For that alone, I'm willing to push against my discomfort and help him.
The silence of the journey is unbearable. Fidgeting in my seat, I pull on the thin cotton curtain, peering outside. The road is busy as we head into the main city. Merchant carriages are on both sides of the streets, people selling different items along the sidewalk. Most are s’Aperiotes, and I've learned to tell them apart based on their clothes. The materials are coarser, the colors washed out from too much wear. The wealthy individuals are garbed in silks and satins, the colors bright and vivid, immediately pinpointing their social status in a crowd. That in itself is reflected in the way they are treated. Shop keepers grumble when a lower-class citizen shows an interest in their merchandise, but when an upper-class person looks at the same item, they go above and beyond, their attitude sickeningly servile.
I suppose our appearance was not the only thing that was modeled after gods—our morals were too. Does every realm have a classist worldview? Is it a universal trait? Somehow, I refuse to believe it. Perhaps this is my past speaking, but I've seen the worst of mankind, yet at the same time I've also seen the best. So I choose to believe people can be better.
Nikki was one of the richest men alive. Yet he never once looked down on me, not for my lack of wealth, nor for my ignorance. Where I didn't know, he taught me. He never once made me feel bad for not knowing something. He's a prime example of someone born at the top, who lived his entire life at the top, yet never let that affect him and the way he interacted with those who had less than him.
My lips tug up as I tightly wrap my arms around myself, imagining it's his embrace.
I miss him. So damn much. But every day brings me closer to him. I just have to be patient.
The carriage breezes through the city, and soon we leave that boisterous atmosphere behind. Fields stretch around on either side of the road, and every now and then, there's a farm in the distance, with workers toiling under the bright suns. It's too far for me to see, but I think they're tending to crops and some domestic animals.
The journey continues for what feels like an eternity. I don't have a watch with me, but I think it must have been a few hours since I left Thea's house.
"Couldn't Ze just teleport me there?" I grumble to myself. Maybe I've gotten too used to that mode of transportation because this feels like torture. Thinking back on it, either he or Cer could have teleported us to China and it would have been so much easier—especially on them since they'd never flown before. The more I think on it, the more disgruntled I become at all the wasted opportunities. Now I understand that they were trying to conceal their real identities, but did they have to do it at the expense of their own comfort?
Another hour passes as we leave the plains behind, mountains appearing in the distance. The contrast is stark. The earth rises out of nowhere, lush, green pastures turning into a rocky, hostile environment. And before I know it, the carriage draws to a halt.
I blink, startled. The door opens, inviting me out. I gulp as I tentatively step out, but the moment my feet meet the ground, the door closes behind me, the carriage already doing a U-turn and disappearing from sight.
"What..." I mutter in shock.
Yet I don't have time to dwell on that as I note that I've likely reached the location of the temple. In front of me, there are two huge doors, on each side of them a thick steely fence going in either direction for what seems like kilometers. They are seemingly wrapped around the mountains, hugging them closely. Two women dressed in black clothes are at the gates, and as they notice me, they incline their heads, and with a wave of a hand, the doors open for me to step inside. I place one foot in front of the other, straightening my back as I attempt to keep my cool. I mustn't look out of place despite feeling absolutely out of my element.
A massive courtyard stretches in front of me. The area is so large I can only make out the base of the mountain on the horizon, the entrance of a steel building etched into the stone. The dark blue of the metal contrasts with the brownish hue of the rock that's peppered with hints of green.
I walk forward, marveling at my surroundings. There's a beautiful fountain in the middle, water flowing from a giant statue of a woman dressed in a dark cloak and holding a book tightly to her chest.
On either side of the courtyard, there are open pavilions, and priestesses walk around in pairs of two. I recognize them as priestesses because their outfits are different. All the recruits are gathered in the courtyard, the girls wearing the same white dress as me, the hoods drawn over their heads. The priestesses, however, are wearing black dresses, their hoods drawn back, their faces painted. There's a straight black line that runs from one temple to the other, shrouding their eyes like a visor.
The priestesses walk around the perimeter, keeping the recruits in one place and watching over them. When someone tries to go toward the pavilions, they intervene, stopping them and signaling them to move toward the fountain.
I move around slowly, studying my surroundings without drawing too much attention to myself.
There are tens of girls in white, maybe as many as a hundred.
From what Ze has told me, being a priestess is a sought-after position, not only due to its elevated status in society but also due to their rigorous training in the spiritual arts. Over time, they have perfected a secret technique taught only to its disciples, and it's said to help one develop great spiritual power—so much so that a few former priestesses became Supremes after spending time at the temple.
The competition is also fierce. Each year, the temple chooses only one girl. Once chosen, a priestess must complete at least one term, which is five hundred years. They cannot leave before the end of the term, but they can extend their position by an unlimited number of terms.
The bracelet rests heavily against my wrist, the purple pearl cold against my warm flesh. A flash of guilt slithers through me as I think of what I'm about to do. It might be cheating for a noble reason, but it's still cheating, and I've always despised that.
"Do not worry your pretty head, human. You are not taking anyone's spot," Ze speaks in my mind.
"Thank you for the reminder, Ze," I mutter drily.
"That is why I am here—to be your voice of reason," he teases.
I roll my eyes at him—though I try to do it in the least obvious way possible.
"Aren't you supposed to be busy somewhere fighting off demons?" I ask.
"Who says I cannot do both? I will have you know that I am the best swordsman in all Aperion. I could slay demons with my eyes closed and my ears shut. It is second nature to me," he boasts as if I expected a different answer from him.
"Ze," I groan. "Just focus on your demon-slaying and leave me alone. I'll contact you if I need your help, but for now, you're just distracting me."
A pause. I can feel his presence in my mind even when he's not speaking. It's like a feather brushing against my skin, a light caress that leaves a trail of warmth behind.
"But I am bored." He sighs. "These demons are not fun. They are all mid-level, which means they are not only weak but also aesthetically challenged and my eyes are suffering greatly from it."
Only Ze would be able to use the phrase aesthetically challenged in an actual sentence.
"It is your job," I point out.
"You are not fun, either, Luce," he complains, and I can almost imagine him pouting. "You are supposed to feel sorry for me and then promise me you will make it better."
"What?" I frown.
"An extra point would help me get through this most harrowing time of my life," he adds in a dramatic voice.
"Ze. What's gotten into you? Do I need to remind you that I'm on a very important mission—one that I'm doing as a favor to you?"
He releases a deep sigh.
"When one is surrounded by such ugliness, one tends to reminisce about the beauty in life," he suddenly says in a philosophical tone, not making much sense.
"Please reminisce about it silently, or I'll have to kick you out of my head," I tell him as I move through the throng of people.
Another pause, and I imagine he's debating whether to push his luck or not.
"Alas, I shall go back to battling my demons. If you require anything, I am but one thought away," he murmurs softly.
"Got it. Thanks," I reply absentmindedly, making my way deeper into the courtyard.
My attention is firmly placed on the priestesses on the sidelines, eyeing them surreptitiously. Despite my seemingly confident front, I still expect them to single me out any moment and tell me what an impostor I am.
I'm so busy making sure they don't find out about my charade that I unwittingly bump into another girl. We both lose our balance, and I teeter forward, grabbing onto her robe as I fall to the ground.
Damnation!
There goes my quiet and unassuming presence.
"I'm so sorry," I murmur as I wobble to my feet, dusting my dress and trying to do the same for the other girl. But as my gaze meets her startling green one, my eyes widen in shock.
"Wyn?" I whisper.
Her eyes flare in alarm as she brings her finger to her mouth, telling me to be quiet. Hooking her arm through mine, she takes me to a more secluded spot where no one can hear our conversation. We take a seat on one of the benches by the side.
"What are you doing here, Luce?" she asks as she pulls her hood lower to obstruct her features.
"I..." I stammer. "I can't tell you. I'm so sorry. But I'm not doing anything bad. On the contrary, I'm just doing a favor for someone," I quickly say.
She watches me intently for a moment before she nods.
"You are aware the first test will measure your spiritual power," she speaks slowly.
I nod.
"You are also aware you are human."
I nod again.
"What did you get yourself into, Luce?" She shakes her head at me. "Does Thea know?"
I shake my head.
Wyn sighs.
"I hope you know what you're doing. The temple isn't a playground, and the priestesses can be...harsh."
"Don't worry about me. I'll be fine, truly."
She stares at me for a moment before she nods as she releases a sigh.
"But what are you doing here? Isn't the priestess position for a minimum of five hundred years? You're just making your debut into society... If you join the temple, wouldn't that be for nothing? You've been waiting for your ball for so long..."
A sad smile pulls at her lips.
"Precisely why the position must be mine." She purses her lips. "I reckon Thea told you how hard our father has been trying to get her married. She's considered an old lady already." She lets out a dry laugh. "Not that it matters as long as he can find someone for her. But I know my sister. She's never going to go along with his plans. I also know that..." she trails off, shaking her head. "If Thea will not marry, I will have to. Otherwise, our family will be greatly shamed for having two unmarried daughters. My father knows this, which is why the moment I am out in society, he will start introducing me to eligible males. In a few months, or if I'm lucky, a few years, he will find someone for me and I will be unable to say no since it is expected of me."
"Wyn... I'm so sorry."
She half turns away, her lips trembling as she takes a deep breath.
"If Aethon is gone..." Her voice breaks. "If he is truly gone, I cannot marry anyone else. I will not have anyone else."
"So you're going to give up five hundred years of your life to the temple?"
"That is merely the beginning. If I have it my way, it will be until the end of my life."
"What?" I blurt out. "I understand that you have a crush on him, but surely... Why would you give up your entire life for someone you've never even been together with?" I ask, dreading the way my words sound—as harsh as her sister's.
Her eyes widen and she flushes a pretty pink.
I stare at her, my intuition telling me there's something more at play.
"Wyn... Did something more happen with Aethon? Something you didn't tell Thea?" I ask tentatively.
"I... It isn't like that," she murmurs, averting her gaze.
"I won't tell your sister if that's what you're worried about. Whatever you share with me will remain in confidence," I assure her.
Her lips tremble as she swallows audibly.
"It was just my foolishness." She shakes her head. "I do not think I can ever utter the words aloud."
"Did he..." I trail off, not knowing how to frame the question so that she does not take it the wrong way. It's just that he is so much older than her—far too old according to Thea. "Did you and Aethon..."
"No, no," she hurries to say. "Although it was not for my lack of trying. I..." She takes a deep breath. "While Thea and Cer were away, Aethon came to visit. It was then that he brought me the bracelet."
I nod, so far familiar with the events.
"He did kiss me on my forehead that day as I told Thea, but..." She briefly closes her eyes. "I am so embarrassed, Luce. Please vow to me you will not tell my sister."
"I vow I will not break your confidence," I assure her.
She still appears uncertain, her cheeks reddening as she tips her head up to gaze at the sky.
"He stayed the night at our house," she says in a small voice.
Already, alarm bells go off in my head, and I immediately think of the worst.
"Go on," I murmur.
"I snuck into his room at night. I know it was bad of me. I know it," she hurries to add. "But I thought if I gave him a little nudge...maybe he would finally see me as a woman and not a child. I..."
Her face is flaming hot at this point as she stutters through her explanation.
"I snuck into his bed," she quickly says, squeezing her eyes shut. "Naked."
"Oh, no... Wyn..."
"I kissed him. On the lips. But he woke up and he more or less threw me out." She sighs. "He told me to forget about the entire incident and gave me this sermon about how he would not tell my brother because he did not want to ruin my reputation but..."
At least Aethon had more sense than she did, all things considered. That earns the man my respect. But I don't let my thoughts show on my face—not when it is so painful for Wyn to recount those events. Poor girl, she didn't have anyone she could talk to, and considering how adamant Thea is about her having a stellar reputation and making a good match... I can see how alienating that could be regardless of how close the sisters are.
"He threw you out of his bedroom and you still think there's a chance for you?"
"Oh, Luce." She turns to me, her green eyes sparkling. "He kissed me back. Before he realized who I was, he kissed me back. And it was the most marvelous feeling in existence. And because of that one moment, I know I am ruined for anyone else who is not him. I'd rather live my entire life alone, reminiscing about that special moment than be forced to mate someone else against my will."
Her words are effusive, her features filled with the purest love.
"But you heard Ze—Azerius," I correct myself. "The Supremes already found a mate for him."
She shakes her head, a dry laugh escaping her.
"They're going to try to force the mating, but that doesn't mean he will agree. He will not," she says vehemently.
I sigh. I don't think there's any way to convince her that her dreams of being with Aethon are more or less unattainable. Whether he's dead or alive, mated or unmated, for her it's him or no one else. And I'm ashamed to admit that I understand her and where she's coming from.
I try to remember the time before my marriage, when I was crushing on Nikki with no hope of ever being with him. Even as my future opened up with opportunities I never dreamed of, I never once thought of being with another man. To my young mind, he was the only person I could ever belong to. And even now, years later, the truth remains that he is the only one for me.
"Please don't tell Thea about any of this," Wyn repeats anxiously. "She will freak out and will never let me leave the house ever again. She's worse than my mother."
"Of course not. I gave you my word, Wyn."
"And please don't tell anyone you saw me here. The recruitment process ends a few days after my ball. By then I should know for sure if I made it—no, I must make it," she adds determinedly. "My family cannot know, or they will do everything they can to stop me."
"Even though the position is so prestigious?"
"Regardless." She smiles ruefully. "My purpose is to make a good match. There is already Cer in the family, and he has enough prestige."
"I see." I nod, pursing my lips. "Then I will cheer you on. You do not have to worry about competing against me since I will be gone after the first test."
Her brows go up in surprise.
"Hmm... It has something to do with Commander Azerius, doesn't it?"
I blink.
A knowing look crosses her face.
"Do not worry. I won't pry, nor will I tell anyone. Tit for tat." She winks at me.
I nod numbly. God, am I so transparent? I make the worst of spies. I should have never agreed to this.
"Be careful with Azerius, though," she mentions a moment later. "I may not know him as well as my siblings do, but he is the most hated person in Aperion, and for good reason."
"I've gathered that," I mumble dryly.
"He's also the most powerful person I know. Rumors say he's more powerful than the Supremes."
My eyes widen at that.
"Really?"
She nods thoughtfully.
"So that begs the question... What could he want with a human?" She muses quietly, though the glint in her eyes tells me she's skeptical about my acquaintance with Ze.
A loud noise erupts in the air, distracting us and saving me from having to reply—thank God, for even I do not know what Ze would want with a human.
Wyn nods to me to get up and head toward the center where all the other recruits are congregating. The priestesses from the pavilion are also closing ranks and surrounding us from all sides. A loud voice calls to attention from the base of the mountain, but there are too many people for me to make out who's speaking.
"Count to ten, and then each number line up in a queue in front of the fountain," the voice intones.
We do as told, and when our turn comes, Wyn is five and I am six, after which we're separated into different queues. She gives me a smile, whispering a quiet, "Good luck," as I move away from her to stand in my own line.
I take a deep breath, willing myself to calm down. Although seeing that I've already been recognized by someone, it's pretty clear I'm not cut out for this James Bond stuff.
All the girls take their spots, and ten lines queue up in front of the fountain. It's only when we're more ordered that I finally see who was speaking.
She's the only woman wearing a wine-colored dress, her face painted white and red.
"Gazes to the floor. The high priestess will assess you," another priestess calls out from behind, and all the women tip their heads down.
I focus on the floor as my ears tune in to the click of heels as they tread closer and closer. Out of the corner of my eye, I make out the high priestess as she walks toward us, heading to the far left side where line one begins. She stops for a second in front of each woman, her gaze quickly flickering over them. A few girls are told to move to the side, though it's not explained why. The high priestess does the same to lines two through five, stalling when she stops in front of Wyn. She tilts her chin with her finger, looking her straight in the eye. With a satisfied smile, she nods before she goes to the next girl. She chooses another girl to look up at her before she switches to line six.
My nerves are killing me as I wait for whatever assessment she has in store. The seconds trickle by as her heels dig into the ground, the sound echoing ominously in my ear.
I cannot see behind me. But I can hear the hushed voice of the high priestess as she tells more girls to move to the side and leave the line.
Eventually, though, it's my turn.
The shoes are the first that come into sight, red pumps with a block heel. The hem of the dress reaches her ankles, but compared to my outfit, hers leaves perfect visibility of her shoes.
"You," she whispers in a low, eerie voice.
Her finger makes contact with my jaw and she tips my head up to look at her.
Her eyes are an almost translucent gray, rimmed with red paint that spans from one temple to the other. Her cheeks are angular and hollow, her mouth thin and pursed as she regards me. I cannot make out the color of her hair due to her hood, but based on her coloring, I'd assume it would be blonde.
"I sense male energy on you," she murmurs, her eyes narrowing as they traverse my entire body before settling on my right hand. "Move to the side, please."
She doesn't wait for me to reply as she moves to the next woman. Meanwhile, her fellow priestesses come to escort me to the side where quite a few women have gathered up already.
A tremor goes down my spine, traveling down my legs until they become as soft as jelly. How I manage to put one foot in front of the other and continue moving, I do not know. There's only a foreboding sense of doom.
I got caught, didn't I?